Railroad-signal



(No Model.)

I. P. ABERGROMBIE.

RAILROAD SIGNAL.

WITNESSES:

SijVENTO Y I I l her, Washington. D c

L UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK r. ABERCROMBIE, on CAMDEN, NEW JERSEY.

RAILROAD-SIGNAL.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 349,131, dated September 14, 1886.

Application filed April16,.1885. Serial No. 162,420. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, FRANK P. ABEROROM- BIE, a citizen of the United States, residing in the city and county of Camden, State of New 5 Jersey, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Railroad-Signals, which improvement is fully set forth in the following specification and accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 represents a side elevation of, the portion of a signal embodying my invention. Fig. 2 represents a side elevation of a portion thereof on an enlarged scale. Fig. 3 represents a vertical section thereof in line a x,

[5 Fig. 2.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the several figures.

My invention relates to improvements in a railroad-signal; and it consists in the novel construction of a signal-arm and its bearing, whereby said arm may be set in correct position.

It further consists of means for strengthening the signal-arm.

Referring to the drawings, A represents the arm of a railroad-signal B, the bearing thereof, and O the standard or post to which the bearing is secured.

The bearing B is formed of the segment of a pivot or stud, thus producing at top the knife-edge D, and leaving the sides E E those of an acute angle, and the side F the remaining periphery of the pivot.

In the arm A, at the portion occupied bythe 5 bearing B,is a segmental slot, G, which coincides with the shape of the pivot B, as seen at H J J K, excepting that the angle formed by the sides J J isobtuse, the'space between said sides being much greater than that formed by the sides E E of the pivot, it being noticed that the arm is mounted at the angle H on the knife-edge D.

It will be seen that when the signal is operated and the arm raised the side J of the slot G abuts against the side E of' the pivot, whereby the arm is properly set in horizontal position, and when the arm is lowered the side J of the slot abuts against the side E of the pivot, whereby the arm is properly set in lowered position. By these means the arm moves positively to the desired position, limited by the walls of the pivot, it being evident that the arm can neither be set too high nor too low, thus preventing any misunderstanding of the signal, the knife-edge pivot also causing the operation of the arm with the greatest possible ease, owing to little friction created. The arm is retained on the pivot by means of a nut, L, which is screwed to the outer end of the pivot, said end being threaded for the engagement of the nut. A washer, L, is interposed between the nut and arm, whereby the latter is permitted to move without liability of displacement. The main portion M of the arm is formed of a bent frame, N, which is bolted or riveted to the bridgeiron 1, the latter having flanges to which the ends of the bent frame are secured, thus firmly supporting said frame. Wire-work, gauze, or other perforated or reticulated material, as at Q, is connected with the frame N, whereby the arm is made light, strong, and durable, said material bracing the frame, and, owing to its nature, presenting no serious obstacle to the passage of wind, &c., therethrough, hence is not seriously affected by wind-blasts, rain, (to.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is'

1. In a signal, the signal-arm and its bearing, substantially as described, the bearing having a knife-edge segmental portion, and the arm having a segmental slot with sides of approximately the same length as those of the bearing, and an arc of approximately the same curve as that of the bearing, but of increased length, all of said parts being combined and operating substantially as and for the purpose set forth, as stated.

2. In a signal, the signal-arm, its standard, and its bearing, substantially as described, the bearing having a knife edge segmental portion, and the arm having a segmental slot with sides of approximately the same length as those of the bearing, and an arc of approximately the same curve as that of the bearing, but of increased length, the bearing having at one end means 'for attachment with the standard of the signal and at the other end means for holding the arm on said bedring rial secured to a bent frame secured to the said parts being combined and operating sub flanges 0f the bri dge-i r011, substantially as desbantially as described. scribed.

3. In a signal, the combination of an arm FRANK P. ABERCROMBIE. 5 having a segmental slot; and a knife-edge \Vibnesses:

bearing secured to a Standard, the outer end (i. I). BLUE,

of the arm being formed of reticulated mete M. R. THOMPSON. 

